ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
Aluminium alloys are the light metal group that offers an alternative to steel with their low density, good corrosion resistance and high thermal and electrical conductivity. The natural oxide layer that forms on the surface provides protection against atmospheric corrosion, and that layer can be thickened by anodising.
The alloys are divided into series according to their principal alloying element. The 2xxx series is copper based, the 5xxx series magnesium, the 6xxx series magnesium-silicon and the 7xxx series zinc. The 2xxx, 6xxx and 7xxx series can be hardened by heat treatment, while the 5xxx series gains its strength through cold working.
The real performance of the material is determined as much by its temper as by its alloy number. T6 and T651 denote solution treated and artificially aged conditions, while H111 and H116 denote cold worked conditions. Both alloy and temper must be specified when ordering.
Choosing a grade. For welded structures in seawater and salt environments, EN AW 5083 and EN AW 5754 come to the fore. For general machinery and load-bearing structures, EN AW 6082 offers a balance of good weldability and medium strength, while EN AW 6060 is used for extruded profiles and decorative parts to be anodised. In aerospace and defence, EN AW 7075 is the choice for parts requiring high strength, and EN AW 2017A where machining is extensive. The corrosion resistance of the 2xxx and 7xxx series is lower than that of the 5xxx and 6xxx series, so coating or surface treatment may be required in exposed environments.
OUR ALUMINIUM ALLOY GRADES
- EN AW 2017A
- EN AW 5083
- EN AW 5754
- EN AW 6060
- EN AW 6082
- EN AW 7075
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